Drift recording apparatus



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March l, 1938. J. w. cuLBERTsoN DRIFT RECORDING APPARATUS Filed April 3,1955 l 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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' DRIFT RECORDING APPARATUS I Filed April 3, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTORv JOE Ld. Cf/LBEETSON BY ATTORNEY March 1 1938. v J. w.cULBE-RTsoN l 2,109,690

DRIFT RECORDING APPARATUS Filed APIl 3. 1955 n A BSheets-Sheet 4 y FiikV50 ...255' y, f5@ f 257 253 \`/Z47 Z5/6L 25g .249 I 15 l5 i z5/ l/l/lf/ll 254 *245 249 ZW -248 Z55 253 249 257 /mll 1N VENTOR ATTORNEY March1, 1938. J. w. CULBERTSON 2,109,690

DRIFT RECORDING APPARATUS Filed April 3, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNE)7J. W. CULBERTSON DRIFT RECORDING APPARATUS March 1, 193s.`

V Filed April 3, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheetl 6 VENTOR i March l, 1938.. J. w.cuLBl-:RTSON DRIFT RE CORDING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1955 '8lSheets-Shedl 7` INVENTOR. JOE La CuLE/erso/v March 1,'1938. J. w.CULBERTSON DRIFT RECORDING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aprilr 5,1935 Patented Mar. 1, 193s UNITED STATES DRIFT RECORDING APPARATUS JoeW. Culbertson, West Hollywood, Calif., as- .signor to Technical Oil ToolCorporation,

Ltd., a corporation of California Application April 3, 1935, Serial No.14,479 24 Claims. (Cl. .t3-205.5)

My invention relates to apparatus for use in oil wells and similar earthbores for recording the degree of drift or inclination of a hole fromthe vertical, and it has particular reference, al-

though not necessarily, to that form of drift recording apparatus whichis characterized by being dropped or lowered into a drill pipe or openhole, and upon reaching the desired position therein the drift measuringand recording instrument thereof becomes operative automatically underthe action of a previously set timecontrol mechanism, to record thedegree of driftof the hole from the vertical.

My invention has for a purpose the general structure and functionalrefinement of such a drift recording apparatus to the end of producingan apparatus which withstands, without damage, thereto, the severe blowsto which it is subjected when in use; which renders the measuring andrecording of inclination extremely accurate under any and allconditions; and permits accurate setting of the timing mechanism toeffect tripping of the measuring and recording mechanism at apredetermined time.

It is also a purpose of my invention toprovide a drift recordingapparatus which embodies two or more drift recording instruments designto permit one to check or compare the recordation made by one, uponthatmade by the other to the end of determining ifthe recordation madeby either instrument is false because, due to improper setting, theinstrument was tripped before the angle marker thereof came to completerest. In this particular form of my apparatus, f the operation of oneinstrument is dependent upon that of the other so that both instrumentsare operated at a predetermined time, and, further, the angle markers'of the two instruments are designed to travel different distances for a40 given angle of deviation so that by the provision of suitably scaledcharts one instrument operates to record angles of deviation in degreesand the other in minutes.

I will describe only two forms of drift recording apparatus, two formsof anglemarkers, two forms of setting gages, and one form of shockabsorbing means, al1 embodying my invention, and will then point out thenovel features thereof in claims. v

In the accompanying drawings Figsrl and l-A are views, one acontinuation of the other, showing in side elevation with the casingthereof in section. one form of drift recording apparatus embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing in longitudinal sectionthe upper portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sectional Views taken on the lines 3-3 and4 4, respectively, of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and is a continuation thereof, thetwo views showing a complete shock absorbing means embodied in theapparatus.

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views taken on thelines 6-6 and 1-1, respectively, of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and is a continuation thereof,showing one form of drift recording instrument embodied in my apparatus,with the container therefor in section.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the drift recordinginstrument in recording or tripped position as distinguished from thenon-recording or set position as shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the recordingmechanism shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the chart and holder embodied in the driftrecording instrument.

Figs. 12 and 13 are transverse sectional views taken on the lines l2|2and |3-I3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view ofanother form of angle indicator embodying my invention.

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line l5-I5 of Fig.14.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line |6-l6 of'Flg. 8showing the chart actuating and time regulating mechanisms of the driftrecording instrument with the chart actuating mechanism in trippedposition.

Fig. 17 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 16 looking in a direction at rightangles thereto.

Fig. 18 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line I8-I8 of Fig.16 and also showing in transverse section the shaft and cam lever of thechart actuating mechanism shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18A is another transverse sectional view of the shaft and cam leverenlarged and showing that position of the shaft just preceding the entryof the cam lever into the shaft.

Figs. 19 and 2U are views similar to Fig. 16 showing other positionswhich the chart actuating mechanism is adapted to occupy.

Figs. 21 and 22 are views similar to Fig. 18 showing other positions ofthe elements shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on the line23-23 of Fig. l-A.

Figs. 24 and 25 are transverse sectional views taken on the lines 24-24and 25-25 of Fig. 23.

Fig. 26 is an enlarged view of the clutch shown in section in Fig. 16. y

Fig. 26A is a detail view showing in perspective the key shown in Fig.26.

Fig. 27 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 21-21 of Fig.26.

Figs. 28, 29, and 30 are transverse sectional views taken on the lines28-28, 29--29, and 30-30 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 31 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing another form of driftrecording apparatus in which two recording instruments are embodied.

Fig. 32 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 31 but showing thechart actuating mechanism for one of the instruments in section.

Fig. 33 is a view similar to Fig. 32 but showing the tripped positionsof the instruments.

Figs. 34 and 35 are views showing in side elevation a setting gage forthe chart actuating mechanism.

Fig. 36 is a view similar to Fig. 35 with a portion thereof in section.

Fig. 37 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a latchingmeans; embodied in the setting gage.

Drift recording instrument Referring to Figs. 8, 9, and 10, a tubularreceptacle 50 is closed at its upper end by a cap 5 I., and at its lowerend by a plug 52, both of which are threaded in the receptacle. The plug52 is provided centrally with an opening 53 in which a support 54 ismovable axially but held against rotation by a ball 55 urged into agroove 56 in the support by a spring 51 confined in a radial opening 58by a screw plug 59. The .support 54 is yieldingly confined within theplug 52 by rubber plates 60 and 6|, the upper one of which is secured inspanning relation to the upper end of the opening 53 by a metal plate 62secured to the plug 52 by screws 63. The lower rubber plate 6| isconfined in spanning relation to the lower end of the opening 53 by ametal plug 64 threaded in the lower end of the plug 52.

The support 54 is formed with an axial opening in which is received thelower end of a stem 65, such stem being formed with a head 66 to connethe stem against upward movement, and such head is engaged at its lowerside by a screw plug 61 for securing the stem against downward movementin the support. The stem 65 projects upwardly through the plates 60 and63 where its upper end is secured in a sleeve 68 on a socket member 69constructed of hardened steel. The upper surface 10 of this socketmember is of inverted conical form so thatthe apex thereof is situatedat the exact center of the socket member. A relatively small and pointedpin 1| constructed of hardened steel bears at its pointed end on theapex of the surface 10. This pin 1| is xed axially Within'the lower lendof a rod 12, while the lower end of the rod is, in turn, ilxed in atubular extension 13 of a weight 14, the latter carrying, by means ofscrews,15, a skirted ring 16 which normally has a very slight clearancewith respectl to the rounded under surface of the socket member 69, butwhich is adapted to abut such surface to confine the extension 13 andthe rod 12 against upward displacement from the socket member.

The rod 12 is bored axially at its upper end to form a sleeve 11 inwhich is slidably received the body 18 of a marking element 19. Themarking element 19 is in the form of a pointed instrument which isadapted topunch a chart so as to permanently mark the latter. 19 isformed integral with the body 18, and the body together with the markingelement is urged upwardly by a spring such urging movement being limitedby means of a pin 8| working within a slot 82. This pin and slotconnection also serves to limit downward movement of the markinginstrument when it is forced downwardly by engagement with a chart, aswill be more fully described hereinafter.

The weight 14 and the rod 12 together with the mounting means therefor,constitute one form of angle marker embodying my invention. As will beunderstood, the arm is poised to oscillate about the socket member 69 asa center, and that under the counter-balancing action of the weight therod constantly tends to assume a vertical position. The rubber plates 60and 6I provide means for cushioning movement of the support 54 axiallyin either direction in order that shocks to which the parts of the anglemarker and its mounting are subjected when in actual use, areeffectively absorbed to prevent distortion of such parts and mounting.

As best shown in Fig. 10, .the metal sleeve 83 is secured in thereceptacle 50 by means of a screw 84, the lower end of the sleeveabutting the plug 52, while its upper end is positioned to form a stopfor limiting movement downwardly of a head 85. 4This head 85 carries achart 86 which is of disk form and preferably made of celluloid. Asshown in Fig. 11, the lower or exposed surface of the chart 86 hasinscribed thereon concentric circles 81 representing degrees from thevertical as indicated by the numerals thereon. As shown in Fig. 10, thelower side of the head is cupped to form a pocket 88 in which the chartis received and removably secured therein by reason of the fact that toinsert the chart into the pocket it is necessary to flex the latter sothat its periphery is urged toward the side wall of the pocket, as willbe understood.

chart actuating mechanism In describing this mechanism, reference willbe had to Figs. .16 to 22, inclusive. As shown in Fig. 16, the cap 5| isprovided with a collar 89 threaded within the upper end of thereceptacle 50. Threaded into the collar 89 is a collar 90 on the upperend of a barrel 9|, this barrel being of such diameter as to have asliding fit 93 in such manner that the lower disk 92 is interposedbetween the head and the plate. In this manner the entire frame of whichthe head forms a part is suspended so that it is yieldingly supported toallow the rubber disks to absorb shocks transmitted to the frame inorder to protect against injury the mechanismL carried by the frame.

The frame is made up of side plates 96 and 91 secured at their upperends to opposite sides of the head by screws 98. By means of screws 99the lower ends of the, plates 96 are secured to opposite sides of alower head |00. This head |00 is provided with a central boreinto whichextends the upper end of a sleeve |.0|, and this sleeve is fixed againstmovement therein by The marking element means of screws |02, as bestillustrated in Fig. 17. At a point spaced from its upper end the sleeveis formed with a flanged disk |03 on which,

the head is fitted and secured by the heads of the screws |04 (Fig. 16)In order to accommodate the disk |03 within the barrel 9| the latter iscounter-bored, as best shown in Fig. 16.

The sleeve |0| constitutes a bearing in which a shaft is rotatably ttedwith the upper portion of the shaft formed with a journal |06 of reduceddiameter and rotatable in a thrust bearing |01 which is screw-threadedin the bore of the sleeve |0I. The lower end of the shaft is reduced toprovide a pintle which projects below the lower end of the sleeve toaccommodate a disk-shaped-head 09. This head |09 is provided with acollar ||0 to which is secured by means of a lug the inner end of acoiled main spring H2. By means of a screw ||2 the outer end of thespring is secured to an annular iiange ||3 formed on the lower end ofthe sleeve |0|. A screw |||a serves tosecure the head |09 to the pintle|08 for rotation with the shaft |05, and thus it will become apparentthat with the spring ||2 under tension, it will tend to rotate the shaft|05 in a counter-clockwise direction, as when viewed in Fig. 30.

An arm ||4 is xed to the head |09 by means of two screws ||5 (Figs. 16and 18), and this arm projects from the periphery of the head to be engaged by a pin I6 extending upwardly from and fixed to the chartcarrying head 85 (Figs. 17 and 18). The head 85 is rotatably mounted ona collar of a body.||8,and by means'of a screw-pin ||9 in the head,engaging within an annular groove |20 in the collar, the head is securedagainst displacement from the body. This pin ||9 is adapted. to abut astop pin H9 ex? tending across the groove |20, for limiting rotation ofthe head rearwardly or in a counter-clockwise direction as when viewedin Fig. 18 to less than a complete revolution, for a purpose to bedescribed hereinafter.

While the chart head a5 has a. sliding nt within the receptacle 50, thebody I |8 has a similar t within the enlarged bore of the barrel 9|. To

take up any play of the chart head .in the barrel,

and positively center the head therein, radial pockets4 85a are formedin the head (Fig. 29) containing springs 85h for urging balls 85coutwardly to bear-against the wall of the receptacle the sleeve |0|, andthus the body is slidable on the sleeve. However, the body is securedagainst rotative movement relative to the barrel and sleeve by theprovision of a rod |2| (Fig. 16)

threaded at its upper end in the disk |03 and securedby a pin |2|, andextending downwardly into an opening |22 in the body. Axial movement ineither direction of the body in the barrel is limited by a stop-pin |23extending into the body so that its medial portion is disposed in arecess |24 in the rod. Of course, movement of the body inwardly of thebarrel is also limited by the body abutting the disk |03, as will beunderstood. v

By means of a plurality of springs |25 (Fig. 17) disposed in pockets |26in the body' III, and sleeves |21 in the pockets, the is yieldably urgeddownward to the lower extreme position shown in Fig. 17, which positionofthe body is defined by the stop-pin |23 abutting the lower end wall ofthe `rod recess |24. (Fig. 16).

'I'he 'shaft |05 is formed with a slotv |28 shaped to provide within andat the upper end thereof, a cam |29, and similarly, the sleeve |0| isformed with a slot |30. The body H8 is slotted to accommodate a camlever |3| which is fulcrumed on a pin |32 secured in the body, to occupythe advanced position shown in Fig. 16, or the retracted position shownin Fig. 20. In the advanced position, the pointed nose of the leverextends into the slot |28 to bear against the bottom or inner wallthereof under the action of a spring |329. As shown in Figs. 17 and 28,the spring |32a isdisposed in a slot |33 .of the body ||8 and mounted ona pin |34 to engage the outer recessed edge |35 of the lever |3|.

The cam lever |3| is provided at its lower end with a rounded head |36which engages within a socket |31 of a'latch bolt |39 slidable in thebody- ||8 to engage and disengage the lower end wall |30 of the slot |30so that such wall functions as a keeper. In consequence of thisconnection between the lever and bolt, it will be clear that accordingas the lever occupies advanced or retracted position, the bolt is movedto disengage or engage the keeper |30. When in engagement with thekeeper, the latch bolt serves to latch the body 8 in theintermediateposition shown in Fig. 20 and against the tendency of the springs |25 tomove the body to the outer or lower position shown in Fig. 16.

In addition to carrying the chart 85, the head 85 functions as. asetting gage by which the chart actuating mechanism can be set torelease the head at a predetermined time and thus permit the head toengage the marking element 19.

This setting operation is accomplished through rotational'adjustment ofthe head 85 from a. normal or non-gaging position as determined by thepins ||9 and Il Sland an index mark |40 (Fig. 8) on a ring |4|, to anyof several gaging positions as determined by graduations |42 on the head85. These graduations are calibrated in minutes of time and areconsecutively numbered from 1 to 20 in the present instance. The ring|4| is capable of circumferential adjustment on the body ||8 toprecisely position the index-mark |40 with relation to the graduationnumbered 1 in order that timing of the instrument as determined byadjustment of the head will be rendered extremely accurate. Arrowsmarked A, B, C, and the legends Unlock, Set, and Start, are imprinted onthe head 85 and the body ||8 for purposes of instruction, as will bemore fully described hereinafter.

'I'he chart or gage head 85 is adapted to be locked automatically in thenormal'or non-gaging position by a bolt |43 movable in a pocket |44 ofthe head (Fig. 16) and urged by a spring |45 to a position in which itextends into the opening |22 of the body H8. To release the head andpermit rotational adjustment thereof, it is necessary to force the bodyH8 inwardly to the inner extreme position shown in Fig. 19 when the bolt|43 abuts the rod |2| `and is thus moved by the rod outward until itsinner end is flush with the adjacent surface of the head. 'I'hus thehead is now free to be turned on the body to any gazing position ofadjustment, and it` will be clear that it is unnecessary to maintainthebody ||8 in the inner extreme position during such adjustment, 'foronce the bolt is-moved'out of registration with. the opening |22, it canno longer function to lock the head. However, upon return of the head toits normal position, the bolt |43 again functions to engage within theopening |22 and thus lock the head against rotation. Timing mechanismTurning movement of the shaft |05 under the action of the spring ||2 isregulated by a timing mechanism of any suitable form, and, hence, I donot wish to be restricted or limited to the mechanism herein shown andwhich I will now describe. y

Referring to Figs. 16 and 17, the timing mechanism is carried whollywithin and by the frame composed of the heads 95 and |00 and the sideplates 96 and 91. It comprises a spur gear |46 fixed to a shaft |41journaled in the side plates 96 and 91. Fixed to the shaft |41 is alarger gear |48 meshing with a pinion |49 fixed to a shaft |50 journaledin one side` plate and a bridge |5| of the upper head 95. A second gear|52 is fixed to the shaft |50 and meshes with a second pinion |53 fixedon a shaft |54 `mounted as the shaft T50. A third gear |55 fixed on theshaft |54 meshes with a third pinion |56 fixed on a shaft |51 journaledin the two side plates. To the shaft |51 is fixed an escapement wheel|58 engaged by pallet pins |59 carried by an arm |60 fulcrumed on anarbor |6| supported by the other side plate and the bridge |5|. Thelower end of the arm is provided with the usual fork and roller pins |62which operatively connect the arm to a shaft |63 journaled in suitablebearings carried by one side plate and the bridge. A balance wheelv |64and a balance'spring |65 are mounted on the shaft |63 to controloscillation of the arm |60 under the driving action of the escapementwheel, as will be understood..

The gear |46 constantly meshes with a crown gear |66 formed on the upperside of a driven member |61 rotatable on a pintle |60, the latter beingformed integral with and constituting an extension of the shaft |05.Asbest shown in Fig. 26, the driven member is retained upon the pintleby a at key |69 having a recessed end engaging within a groove |10 ofthe pintle. A cupshaped driving member |1| is suitably fixed to thepintle |60 for rotation therewith, and this driving member is adaptedfor operative connection with the driven member |61 only when the formeris rotated 'in that direction in which the spring ||2 tends to drive theshaft |05.

The means employed for this purpose consists of rollers |12 disposed inperipheral and tapered recesses |13 (Fig. 27), and springs |14 in therecessed underside of the member |61. These springshave one end securedin the driven member and the other end bent to engage the rollers |12for urging the latter toward' the narrow end of the recesses |13. Thearrangement and operation of these elements is such that when thedriving member |1| is rotated in a clockwise direction as when viewed inFig. 27, the rollers operatively connect the driving member to thedriven member so that the latter is rotated therewith. Conversely, whenthe driving member is rotated in the opposite direction the rollersrotate about their own axes so that the driven member is no longerrotated by the driving member.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a one-way clutchis provided between the timing mechanism and the shaft |05 by which theshaft can be rotated in one direction from a normal positionindependently of the timing tion with the slot |30 of the sleeve |0|.

Operation of chart actuating and ltiming mechn anisms In describing theoperation of these mechanisms, I will assume that the capf 5| has beenscrewed into the receptacle 50 so that the barrel 9| occupies theposition shown in Fig. 8 in which the chart carrying head 05 ispositioned above the sleeve 03'and spaced from the marking element 19 sothat the chart 86 is out of' engagement with the marking element. Such aposi-` tion of the head 05 is what may be'termed a retracted ornon-recording position as against an advanced or recording position inwhich the chart is advanced into engagement with the marking element tobe punched by the latter. In Fig. 20 the head 85 is shown in retractedposition, and the parts of the chart head actuating mechanism set foroperation to move the head to advanced position at a predetermined timeafter manual setting thereof. In Fig. 16 the head is in advancedposition, and the mechanism is in what may be termed the normal `ortripped position, with the parts thereof locked and at rest.

, As shown in Fig. 16, the shaft |05 is in what may be termed a normalcircumferential position wherein the slot |28 thereof is in registra-The chart head 85 is in normal or non-gaging position on the body ||8wherein it is locked against rotation by the bolt |43.y Such locking ofthe head prevents rotation of the shaft by the spring l2 because the pin|6 which is fixed to the head, cannot move and the arm ||4 which is xedto the shaft, abuts the pin.v Thus, with the parts ofthe mechanismpositioned as described, the setting thereof is accomplished as follows:

It will, of course, be understood that the setting operation isperformed before placing' the u barrel in the receptacle. The barrel isgripped in one hand, while the palm of the other hand is pressed againstthe chart side of the head 05 to force the latter and the body |I8inwardly of the barrel against the tension of the springs |25. Thisinitial operation is to effect unlocking of the chart head, and thedirection of movement incident thereto, as well as the purpose thereofis clearly indicated on the head by the arrow A and the legend Unlock.By this operation, the body ||8 is moved from the position shown in Fig.16 to that shown in Fig. 19 or to what may be termed its inner extremeposition. As a result of such movement the lever |3| is carried inwardlywith its nose bearing on the shaft until it reaches the cam |29 when-itis moved thereby outwardly of the slot |28 onto the periphery of theshaft, as shown in Fig. 19.

Once the lever is removed from the slot, the operator, while stillpushing inwardly on the head 85, turns the headv rearwardly in thedirection of the arrow B in Fig. 8 through an angle suiiicient to movethe latch bolt |43 to one side of the opening |22, thus unlocking thehead. With the head unlocked, inward hand pressure can be removed toallow the operator to leisurely adjust or set the head to any gagingposition desired.

From a consideration of the relation of the pin H6 and the arm I|4 asshown in Fig. 18, it will be clear that when the head 85 is turned tounlock it, the pin, which the arm normally abuts, is rotated with thehead to impart a similar movement to the arm. As the arm is xed to theshaft |05, rotation of the latter also occurs, and through such an angleas to move the slot |28 to one side of the cam lever I3 Thus, when thechart head is relieved of hand pressure and the springs act to move thebody ||8 outwardly of the barrel, the nose of the lever |3| remains uponthe periphery of the shaft |05 and cannot reenter the slot. However, thesprings |25 only move the body |8 to the intermediate or latchedposition shown in Fig. 20, forfat this point the latch bolt |39 abutsthe keeper |30, as shown in Fig. 20 to restrain it against furthermovement.

Through the pin ||9 adjoining the pin ||0a the possibility is preventedof accidentally rotating the head 85 rearwardly a complete revolution orto a position in which the lever |3| would return to the shaft slot4|28and prevent further operation of the mechanism.

Once the chart head has been turned to a position in which its releaseis effected, it. remains in that position, for the tension of the spring||2 is insufficient to rotate the head, and thus the pin ||6 maintainsthe arm |I4 against reverse rotation. Rotation of the shaft |05 to ejectthe cam lever `as well as for further'setting, is independent of thetiming mechanism inasmuch as the aforedescribed one-way clutch isoperative to connect the shaft to the crown gear ||6 only when the shaftis rotated in the other direction.

From a consideration of the operation of the mechanism as thus fardescribed, it will be clear that the chart head 85 is now ready forsetting. As indicated by the arrow B and the legend Set on the head 85,the head is adapted tobe set by turning it in the same direction as forunlocking and to any gaging position desired as precisely determined bypreselecting any one minute graduation |42 and positioning such graduation exactly opposite the index mark |40. The graduation selected isdetermined by the sum total time in minutes required to assemble thecomplete apparatus, place it in the well hole, allow it to descend `tothe point therein' at which a record is desired to be taken, and permitthe angle marker to come to rest.

Concurrently with such setting of the head 85,

' the shaft |05 is rotated rearwardly still further because of theconcurrent rotation of the arm ||4 by the pin H6, as will be clear froma considera-` tion of Fig. 21.-, Thus, the angular position of the shaftwith respect to the lever |3| is further increased to a degree directlyin keeping with the gaging position of the head 85. Such turningmovement of the shafty |05 being against the tension of the spring ||2,increases the tension thereof, but it will be understood that inassembling the chart actuating' mechanism the spring is wound suicientlyto restore the shaft to its latched position without relying upon theincreased tension given it in setting the shaft.

Once the chart head has been set as described, it is adapted to beturned forwardly as indicated by the arrow C and the legend Start on thebarrel, until it reaches its original circumferential position when thelatch bolt |43 moves into the body opening |22 to again lock the headery of the shaft |05 and drops into the slot against rotation on thebody. Such rotation of the chart head restores the pin ||6 to normalposition, as shown in Fig. 22, thus releasing the arm ||4 so that thespring ||2 now functions to rotate the shaft |05 back to normalposition. With'inception of this starting movement, the one-way clutchnow operatively connects the shaft to the crown gear so that the timingmechanism is set into operation to regulate turning movement of theshaft precisely in accordancel with the minute graduations upon thechart head.

'I'he shaft |05 proceeds to rotate under control of the timing mechanismuntil the arm I4 abuts the pin I6, and as the pin is now secured againstrotation because of previous locking of the head 85, further rotation ofthe shaft is checked upon engagement ofthe arm with the pin.. In thisnormal or nal position of the shaft, the slot |28 is broughtintoregistration with the cam lever |3| so that the latter is nowprojected into the slot under the action of the spring |322. With suchmovement of the cam lever, the latch bolt |39 is moved free of thekeeper |308 releasing the body ||8 to permit the springs |25 to projectthe chart head and body to the advanced position shown in Fig. 16, andthus cause the chart 85 to engage the marking element 19 and be punchedthereby for effecting a recordation, as shown in Fig. 9. Thus, all partsof the chart actuating mechanism are restored to normal or startingpositions for a succeeding operation when and as desired through thesame sequence of manual operations.

An important feature of my chart actuating mechanism is the manner inwhich the shaft 05 and cam lever |3| coact to eiectinstantaneousactuation of the latch bolt |39 so that the chart head is tripped orreleased to produce a drift recordation in conjunction withthe marln'ngelement, concurrently; with expiration of the time interval for whichthe mechanism has been set. As best shown in Figs. 18 and 18B, the slot|28 is of dove-tail form in cross section so that it is undercut fromits side edges inwardly. Such construction prevents contact of the sidesof the cam lever with the side walls of the slot as the lever moves intothe slot, and. thus such lever movement is unimpeded. Also suchundercutting produces at the leading side of the slot a relatively sharpedge or corner oi of which the lever is adapted to drop into the slot.

As shown'in Fig. 18, the nose of the lever is beveled to produce arelatively ne edge or corner 3 I'l which normally bears against theperiph- |20 concurrently with the leading edge of the slot passing theedge |3| to effect instantaneous release of the lever. Such method ofrelease acts to move the latch bolt |39 to unlatched positionwithcorresponding rapidity so that the chart head is tripped at the preciseinstant at 'which the time interval expires for which the mechanism wasset.

Before proceeding to describe the other elements of my drift recordingapparatus, I will described a setting gage for the head 85 by which aparticular minute graduation |42 on the head 85 can be selected prior tosetting of the head to the gaging position thus dened, so that when the.head is subsequently moved thereto, it cannot be moved accidentally orotherwise beyond the preselected graduation. In this manner, thepossibility is prevented of oversetting the head. 'I'his setting gagealso includes a means for defining to effect unlocking thereof prior toactual setting of the head.

As shown in Figs. 84 to 37, inclusive, the setting gage comprises a stoppin |15 fixed to and projecting from the lower edge of the ring |4|, aswhen viewed in Fig. 34, and disposed to the right of the index mark |40.A gage ring |16 is rotatably fitted in a groove |11 of the head 85 tooccupy any circumferential position of adjustment. On the ring |16 is acircular series of graduations |18 spaced to correspond to thegraduations of the series |42. The ring |18 is formed with slots |19alined with theI graduations |18, and in any one of which a latch lever|80 pivoted in a slot |8| of the head 85, is adapted to engage under theaction of a spring |82 in a pocket |83 (Fig. 37) to lock the ring in anyposition of adjustment on the head.

The latch lever is notched as shown, to permit easy withdrawal thereoffrom any slot |19 against the tension of the spring |82. On that edge ofthe ring |18 confronting the ring |4| is a gage pin |84 which is adaptedto abut the stop pin |15. A third pin |85 is fixed to and projectsinwardlyfromthe head 85 at such a point circumferentially thereof as toextend into a recess |88 in the confronting edge of the barrel 9|, thatis, when the head is pushed inward to its inner extreme position.

In operation of the setting gage, the gage pin |84 is moved intoalinement with any preselected graduation |42 by first unlocking thering through movement of the latch lever |80 to released position. Thelatch is now released'so that it again engages the gage ring in one ofthe slots to secure the ring in this newly adjusted position. The head85 is now forced inward in the usual manner to eiIect unlocking thereof,and under such movement the pin |85 is advanced into the recess. Inthismanner, rotational movement `of the head necessary to eiectunlocking thereof, is actually prescribed by the pin |85. In otherwords, the operator of the instrument is denitely instructed andphysically limited in respect to the amount of rotation of the headnecessary to release the latter preparatory to moving it to Ragingposition.

Once the head v85 has been unlocked as just described,'it is released toallow it to move to the intermediate position in which the pin |85 iswithdrawn from the recess |88. Thus, the head is now free to be, rotatedto gaging position. As the ring |18 is now locked to the head 85 throughthe latch |80, it will be clear that when the head is rotated to thepreselected gaging position as deined by the prior adjustment of the pin|84, such pin will be rotated with the head until it abuts the stop pin|15 to prevent further rotation of the head. In this final position ofthe pin |84, the head is positioned so that the preselected graduation|42 is opposite the index mark |40. Obviously, the head cannot berotated beyond this position, and hence, oversetting of the head isprevented. In the nal operation, the head 85 is returned to its normallocked position to permit the chart actuating mechanism to run, as hasbeen described.

Should the head 85 be released accidentally by operationof the latch|80, after the cam lever has `been projected from the shaft slot andmoved tothe position shown in Fig. 20, the pins |I9 and ||9 will act toprevent the lever returning 'to the slot through rearward rotation ofthe head a complete revolution.

Referring to Figs. l and l-A, the receptacle 50 containing the driftrecording instrument previously described, is adapted to be placed in anelongated tubular metal housing |81. For the purpose of eifectivelyprotecting the drift recording instrument against damage resultant ofthe forces of impact produced by striking the tool joints during descentand the final impingement of the apparatus at the point of stoppage,whether the apparatus is dropped or lowered on a line into an open holeor drill pipe, the following devices are embodied in my apparatus:

Screwed into the lower end of the housing |81 is a solid metal stem |88formed at its upper end with an extension |90 which projects into thelower end of a coiled expansible spring |9|. A rubber buffer block |92reposes on the inner end of the extension |90 and extends into the lowerend of the spring |9|. This block |92 is provided for the purpose ofpreventing full compression of the spring |9| and thus avoiding theresultant metal to metal contact of its convolutions and the consequenttransmission of shock to the elements connected to and contacting withthe spring. A leather cup |92* is secured to the lower end of the block|92, and this cup is of suchdiameter as to frictionally retain itselfwithin the housing |81 to prevent the spring |9| from dropping out ofthe housing.

Above the spring |9| is arranged the container or receptacle 50 so thatthe upper end of the spring bears against the plug 52. At this point itis well to mention a collar |83 threaded on the plug 52, as best shownin Fig. 10, and which collar is provided for the purpose of covering theexterior threads of the plug. The aforesaid threads are provided for thepurpose of permitting a second container or receptacle 50 to be attachedto the plug 52. Obviously, by removing the plug 04 the interior threadsof the plug 52 can be used to connect a second barrel 9| containing asecond drift recording instrument, to the plug 52. It will be understoodthat in some instances it is desirable to employ two or more driftrecording instruments in a single apparatus, and the construction justdescribed provides such a means.

The cap 5| is adapted for connection to the lower end of a cylinder |94through the medium of a stud |95 (Fig. '1) formed onvthe cap and uponwhich is threaded a cup-shaped nut |98. This nut is releasably lockedagainst accidental unscrewing by means of a ball |98* in a pocket |91 ofthe nut anda spring |98 pressing the ball into any one of a plurality ofradial grooves |99 in the confronting face of the cap 5|. The nut |98has Y a reduced portion |9|ib upon which a cap 2004 is threaded andlocked by a pin 20|.

Extending into theA cap 200 is a coupling pin 202 having a collar 208threaded therein and rotatably mounted in the cap by means of balls 204.Thus, the coupling pin is rotatable relative to the cap 200 and theelements connected thereto. The upper end of the coupling pin isthreaded into a head 205 threaded, in turn, into and closing the lowerend of the cylinder |94. The

elements just described' constitute a rotatable connection between thecylinder and the container 50, which prevents iinscrewing of thecontainer from the cylinder during vapplication or removal of thelatter.

The cylinder |94 constitutes part of a pneumatic shock absorber designedto effectively absorb longitudinal shocks towhich` the drift recordinginstrument is subjected incident to descension of the apparatus intoawell. Extending downwardly into the cylinder is a rod 206 having onitslower end, a piston made up of a pair of rings 201 (Fig. 6) throughwhich the rod extends. A pair of nuts 208 are threaded on the rod forsecuring the rings in clamping relation to a pair of reversely disposedcup washers 209 made of leather. The rod 206 is bored to form a duct 2|0which functions to by-pass air from one side of the piston to the other,and the amount of air so by-passed is controllable by a metering screw2|| threaded in'thelower end of the rod and formed with a port 2 I2, thediameter of which determines the rate of air flow. By substitutingsimilar screws having ports of other diameters the rate of flow can becontrolled as required.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the piston rod 206 extends upwardly through astuiling box comprising a packing nut 2|3 and a gland 2|4 threaded inthe cylinder |94 for receiving a spring 2|5 which is adjustable by thenut to compress packing 2 |6 therein. At its upper end, the rod 206 isconnected toan upper stem 2|1 formed of solid metal .and threaded in theupper end of the housing |81 (Fig. 2) through the medium of a collar 2|8formed on the lower end of the stem, a pin 2| 9 extending through thecollar and a head 220, to provide a pivotal connection between the two.This pivotal connection allows the requisite freedom of movement of thecylinder |94 to permit self-alining thereof in the housing I 81. The rod206 is threaded in the lower end of the head 220 and secured by a pin22|, while the head is formed with a ange 22| against which the upperend of a spring 222 abuts. A buffer sleeve 223 formed of rubbersurrounds the rod 206 contiguous to the head 220 to prevent completecontraction of the spring.

For centering the apparatus within a drill pipe,

the stems |88 and 2I1 are provided with spring arms 224 and 225,respectively, which, from their points of connection with the stems,extend outwardly to have contact with the wall of the drill pipe tomaintain the apparatus spaced therefrom and centered therein to preventthe stems'and housing from striking the tool joints and there- 'bydamaging the drift recording instrument.

In Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the manner of mounting the arms 225 is shown. Asillustrated, the upper end of the stem 2I1 is,formed withcircumferentially spaced grooves 226 in each of which is arranged thelower end of onearm 225. Such arm ends are secured in the-grooves by asleeve 221 and a plate 228 secured on the upper end of the stem by ascrew 229. This plate has notches 230 therein in which the arms arereceived, while the sleeve 221 spans the grooves. The lower extremitiesof the arms are bent to form angular lips 23| which engage beneath thelower edge of the sleeve 221. In order that the addition of the sleeveto the stem shall not increase the diameter of the stem, the stem isreduced in diameter for the thickness and length of the sleeve and thethickness of the lips.' v

The construction just described functions to secure the several arm endsagainst movement on the stem in any direction, while the remainder ofthe arms are free to ex in performing their function of maintaining thestem spaced from the wall of the drill pipe, and yet not impedingdescent ofthe apparatus into the hole. Although the arms are attachedwith the requisite security, they are readily detachable should theybecome broken to permit substitution of new arms..

Referring to Figs. 1A and 23, the lower stem I 88 carries a spear madeup of a bodyl section 232 anda head section 233, both formed of metal.These two sections are joined to eachother by a connector-234constructed of a single body of resilient rubber. As shown, the sectionsare h'ollow to receive the end portions of the rubber connector, whilethe intermediate portion of the connector is interposed between the twosections to cushion movements of the sections toward each other for thepurpose of absorbing shocks created by the spear striking the bottom ofthe well hole or the drill bit when used in a drill pipe.

The connector 234 is secured in the spear sections by pouring therubber, when in a liquid state, into the sections. In such a process,air vents are necessary and have been provided in the spear sections asindicated at 235, and into these vents portions of the rubber flow andform tits 236 which serve as additional means for securing the connectorwithin the sections. Also, the confronting edges of the sections areinturned to 'form annular lips 231 around which the rubber is molded tointerlock the two against separation.

The body section 232 is formed with a pin 238 threaded in a box 239 inthe lower end of the stem |88 so that the upper wall of the sectionabuts the stem. The spring arms 224 are of the same construction as theupper arms 225, and similarly their lower ends are secured in grooves240 of the stem |88 by a sleeve 24| fixed to the stem by a set screw 242(Fig. 24). The angular lips 243 on the lower ends of the arms 224 areinterposed between and embraced by the lower edge of the sleeve 24| andthe top wall of the spear body section 232.A l

To -detach the arms 224 should they become broken, it is necessaryonlyto remove the set screw and detach the spear, when the sleeve can bewithdrawn from the stem to release the arms. Longitudinal grooves 244are provided in the stem |88 to receive the arms 224 should theyotherwise interfere with passage of the stem through a restricted partof the drill pipe.

In the operation of the apparatus, let it be assumed that the driftrecording instrument has been set and started, and that all parts of theapparatus have been assembled to occupy the respective positions shownin Figs. 1 and l-A. Thus, the apparatus is now ready to be lowered on aline into a drill pipe, or dropped therein.'

In either event, the arms 224 and 225 function to center the apparatusin the tubing as it descends therein, but it will be understood thatwhen using my apparatus in an open hole the arms cannot be used becausethey would abut the jagged walls of the hole and thus prevent theapparatus from being withdrawn. As the spear strikes each tool joint, itis momentarily checked in its descending movement which reacts to movethe cylinder |94 downward in the housing |81.

As the piston is fixed against movement lengthwise in the cylinder, itwill be clear that such downward movement of the cylinder is resisted bythe air above the piston. However, the resistance so offered is ayieldingone togradually decelerate movement of the cylinder in suchmanner as to prevent sudden and damaging movement of the parts of thedrift recording instrument. This is attained by theair above the pistonbeing compressed with each downward movement of the cylinder, andallowed to bleed at a predetermined rate through the metering port 2|2to the lower side of the piston. The spring |9| likewise resistsmovement o1' the cylinder 75 downward, but its primary purpose is toconstantly act to restore the cylinder to its normal elevated positionso that after each descending movement the cylinder is elevated.However, such elevating movement is resisted by the air below the pistonto decelerate such movement in accordance with the bleeding of air tothe upper side of the piston. 'I'his upward movement of the cylinder isalso resisted bythe spring 222.

vShould the apparatus be subjected to an extremely severe shock such aswhen striking the rocky bottom of a relatively deep well, the spring |9Iwould tend to be completely compressed under the sudden andmaximumdownwardthrust of the cylinder, but such complete spring compression isprevented by the plug 64 striking the block |92. l I

Thus, it becomes apparent that the shock absorber is double acting torestrain movement of the drift recording instrument in either directionwithin the housing and to the extent of protecting it against severeshocks as a result of the spear striking well hole and drill tubingobstructions.

Upon the apparatus reaching its limit of descent, the spear strikeswhatever device has been interposed in its path to predetermine thedepth at which a recording is to be made, with a force that underordinary conditions would be damaging to the drift recording instrument.However, by the provision of the rubber connector, the springs, thepneumatic shock absorber, and the rubber elements employed in themounting for the angle marker and timing mechanism, the possibility -ofsuch damage as to render the instrument inoperative or inaccurate as torecording the'precise angle of drift of the hole from the vertical, andat the predetermined time for which the chart actuating mechanism hasbeen set, is all prevented. Once the apparatus reaches its destinationand the angle marker comes to rest, the chart head is automaticallymoved into engagement with the marking element to effect recordation ofthe angle of drift as indicated by the angle marker. I

It will be understood that when using the apparatus in an open hole, itis lowered on a line, and hence, may be withdrawn by the line. However,when in use in a drill pipe the apparatus can be dropped into the pipeand removed with thepipe.

In Figs. 14 and 15, I haveshown another form of anglemarker which may besubstituted for the angle marker shown in Fig. 10. This angle marker ischaracterized by its adjustabilityV to vary its responsiveness todeviation from the vertical so that it can be used to indicate on thechart, angles at greater or less scale for a given deviation, andparticularly the former in order that small fractions of a degree can bemore easily and accurately read when recorded on a chart 86 calibratedin degrees andl'fractions thereof on y a larger scale.

vThis angle marker comprises an annular support 245 of a diameter tohave a sliding tlt within the container 50 to be secured in apredetermined position therein by a set screw 246. The

upper and lower edges of the support are pro4 aioaoeo are interposedbetween the plates 249 and the ilanges 241 and 248 to cushion verticalmovements of the plates relative to the flanges.

The plates are formed-with axial openings, and the walls of the openingsof the plates 249 are shaped and have rings252 threaded therein to formraces for balls 253. Thus, a ball bearing socket is formed to receiveand support a ball 254 for universal rotation therein. Extending throughthe ball 254 so as to b e adjustable lengthwise therein, is an arm 255which is adapted to be fixed in any position of longitudinal adjustmentby sleeves 256 secured by set screws 251 on the arm above and below theball so as to abut the latter. 'I'he upper end of the arm 255 carries atubular extension 258 in which is received a spring pressed body 259 ofa marking element 260 identical to the marking element 19 for the otherangle indicator. At its lower end, the arm 255 carries a conical shapedweight 26| which is detachably and adjustably secured thereon by a setscrew 262 therein. As will be understood, the weight serves to urge thearm and marking element to vertical position.

By virtue of the adjustability of the arm 2.55 lengthwise in the ball254, the distance through which the marking element travels with respectto the chart for a given angle of deviation can be in' creased ordecreased at will according as the arm is adjusted to increase ordecrease its length space the point of the marking instrument from thechart so as to mark the latter when the chart is moved thereagainst.

Referring now to Figs. 31, 32, and 33, I have here shown positionedwithin the same housing |81 two drift recording instruments arranged oneabove the other, and wherein mechanism is provided for tripping thechart head of the lower instrument through tripping of the chart head ofthe upper instrument so that the lower instrument effects a recordationof drift at a predetermined time after setting of the upper instrumentand substantially concurrently with tripping thereof.. As previouslyexplained herein, the two instruments are provided for the purpose ofchecking the correctness of recordation made by one instrument upon thatmade by the other, and,

although I have shown and will describe each in'- strument as includingthe angle marker shown in Fig. 10, it will be understood as constitutinga part of my invention that the adjustable angle marker shown in Fig. 14can be substituted for either angle marker. When so using the adjustableangle marker, it is adjusted so that its marking element travels througha greater arc for a given deviation than the marking element of theangle markerv for the other instrument. Thus, by

-using utherewith, -a chart calibrated in minutes oiv degrees as againstthe other chart which is calibrated in degrees only, drift recordationson flne'and coarse scales, respectively, are given byA the twoinstruments and irrespective of whether such instruments are actuated bya common timing mechanism or not.

When using the two instruments, the sleeve 82 is removed from thecontainer 50 and a short sleeve '283 substituted therefor, which ismovable downwardly within the container from the position shown inFlg.32 to that shown in Fig. 33.

` The circumferential position of the sleeve is ilxed by. a screw 26'4threaded. into the container and projecting into a slot 285 in thesleeve. Belo' the sleeve 263 is a lower sleeve 266 likewise slidable inthe container from. the elevated position shown in Fig. 32 to thelowered position shown in Fig. 33. A spring latch 261 is secured to theinner side of the sleeve' 266 by a screw 268, and this screw projectsinto a recess 269 for fixing the circumferential position of the sleeve.Normally,

the sleeve 266 is retained in the elevated position by means of thelatch 261, the bill thereof engaging a keeper 210 screw-threaded in thecontainer 50.

Movement of the latch 261 to release the sleeve 266 is effected bydownward movement of the sleeve 263, such sleeve normally reposing onthe head of the latch so that its downward movement cams the latch freeof the keeper. With continued downward movement of the sleeve 263, thesleeve 266 is moved to its lowermost position for actuation of a bolt21|. This boltv is movable lengthwise in a coupling plug 212, and itwill be noted that the plug corresponds to the plug 52 of the rst driftrecording instrument. The bolt 21| is secured against rotative movementby a pin 213, and the lower end of this bolt normally engages and whenactuated, moves a head '214. The bolt and head constitute that part ofthe mechanism for tripping the chart head of the lower drift recordinginstrument, but before describing the remainder of the mechanism, I willdescribe the manner in which the lower instrument is housed andassociated with the upper instrument. Y

As shown in Fig. 31, the housing |81 receives a second containerI 215,and screwed into the lower end of the container is a plug 216 similar tothe plug 52. Upon this plug is supported the angle marker 211 of thelower instrument. Above the marker is a barrel 218 provided at its upperend with a collar 219 threaded in the plug 212. This collar'serves as acylinder in which the head 214 moves, and also as a means for conning ametal plate 280 against the underside of the lower rubber plate 6|. Atthis point, it will be noted that plates 60, 6|, 62, and 280 arerecessed to accommodate the bolt 21| so that the latter may have contactwith the head 214.

The barrel 218 contains a guide sleeve 28| centered therein by a ring282 secured in position by a set screw-282, and an annular ange 283formed integral with the sleeve at a point medially of its length. Belowthis ange within the barrel is slidably fitted a'body 284 on the lowerend of which is formed .a chart carrying head 285. As with the head 85of the upper instrument, it is urged downwardly by springs. 286 mountedin pockets 281 and sleeves 288, the latter abutting the flange 283.

'Ihe body 284 is tubular to receive and be movable on the lower end ofthe guide sleeve 28|, but normally, the body, together with the charthead is latched in the elevated position shown in Fig. 32 by means of alatch bolt 289. 'Ihis bolt is mounted in the body and urged by a spring290 into a recess 29| of the sleeve 28|. Movable in the recess is anactuator 292 for the bolt 289 which projects into the bore of the sleeve28| A to be engaged by a cam 293 on the lower end of a rod 294 which ismovablein 4the sleeveauThe upper end of this rod is secured to thefhead214,.

and -a spring 295 urges the head. and rodupwardly to the elevatedposition shown inwFig. 32. Downward movement of the body 284-under theaction of the springs 286, is limited by means of a screw pin 296 in thebody engaging Within a recess 291 in the sleeve 28|. wIn this positionof the body, the chart carriedzby the head 2,85

engages the marking element 19 to be punched thereby, as has beendescribed. y

In describing the operation of the mechanism by which the chart head 285of the lower instrushown in Fig. 32. Upon movement of the chart head 85downwardly to the recording position shown in Fig. 33, the sleeve 263 isforced downwardly to move the latch 261 out of engagement with thekeeper 210, and by continued movement of the upper sleeve the lowersleeve 266 .can now be forced downwardly to the position shown in Fig.33 wherein the bolt 21| is forcd downward to impart a correspondingmovement tothe head 214 against the tension of the spring 295. .Withlowering of the head, the rod 294 is moved downwardly to cause the cam293v to move the actuator 292 radially outward until the inner end ofthe latch bolt 289 is ush with the surface of the sleeve 28|, when thebody 284 is tripped to permit the springs 286 to force the chart head285 downwardly against the marking element and thus eiect a recordationof the angle of deviation upon the chart.

Although I have herein` shown and described only two forms of driftrecording apparatus, two forms of angle markers, two` forms of settinggages, and one form of shock absorbing means, all embodying myinvention, it is to be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be made herein without spirit of my invention, and the spiritandscope of the appended claims.

I claim:

departing from vthe 1. In a drift recording instrument, a chart carryingelement; means for mounting said element for rotation about a iixed axisto occupy a starting position and any one of several gaging positionsand for movementaxially to occupy either of two axial positions; urgingmeans for biasing said element to one of said axial positions; a latchmovable to latching position for securing said element in the other ofsaid axial positions against the action of said urging means,

land movable to a releasing position in which said element is free tomove to the irst't mentioned axial position under the action of saidurging means; actuating means for saidlatch having a part movable from anormal position' in which said latch occupies releasing position, to anyone of several other positions in' which said latch is heldin latchingpositiong' means operatively connecting said element to saidpart of saidlatch actuating means so that by rotation of the element from startingposition to any gaging position, movement of said part is eiected fromsaid normal position to any one of said tions; and means for returningsaid part ofr said actuating means to normal position from any one .ofsaid other positions whereby said latch otherl posif is moved toreleased position to allow said element to occupy the rst mentionedaxial position. f

2. In a drift recording instrument; a chart carrying element; means formountingsaid element for rotation about a xed axis toioccupy a startingposition and any one of several gaging positions, and for axial movementto occupy one direction; a latch mechanism comprising a stationarykeeper and a bolt movable to engage and disengage said keeper and socorrelated to said element that when engaging the keeper said element islatched in thel other axial position against the action of said urgingmeans; a lever; means for mounting said lever for bodilyl movementAaxially with said element and for pivotal movement transversely of saidshaft so that when the element is moved from said other axial positionto the first mentioned axial position said le'ver, when in said slot,will be cammed out of said slot onto the periphery of said shaft; meansfor urging said lever toward said shaft so as to bear upon the peripheryof said shaft or extend into said slot when registering therewith; anoperative connection between said bolt and said lever by which said boltis moved 'to keeper engaging and disengaging positions according as thelever bears upon the periphery of said shaft or projects into said slot;a connection between said spring and said element'by which, throughrotation of the latter in one direction from the starting position to apredetermined gaging position, the shaft, when said lever is withdrawnfrom said slot, will be rotated in the opposite direction. 3. In' adrift recording instrument; a shaft;y

meanslfor supporting said shaft for rotation from a starting positioncircumferentially thereof; means for returning said shaft to saidstarting position when rotated away therefrom; a chart carrying elementmovable axially of said shaft to occupy either of two positions; meansforA urging said element to one of said positions; a latch for retainingthe element in the other of said positions against the action of saidurging means; means for actuating said latch to release the element whensaid shaft is in starting position, and to retain the element in'latchedposition when the shaft occupies any other than a starting position; anda connection between said element and said shaft by which said shaftcan, by rotation of said element, be rotated away from starting positiona predetermined angle.

4. In a drift recording instrument; a sleeve having a slotlongitudinally therein a portion of which constitutes a cam; a shafthaving a slot longitudinally therein; said shaft rotatable in saidsleeve and normally occupying a position therein in which the slotthereof registers with the slot of said sleeve; a body movable axiallyon said sleeve to occupy either of two extreme positions and anintermediate position; a record-l ing chart carried by said body; meansforurging said body to one of said extreme positions; a latch mounted onsaid body to extend into or be withdrawn from the sleeve slot; a leverfulcrumed on said body and urged -towards said shaft to extend into theshaft slot through the sleeve slot when said body is in the firstmentioned extreme position and said shaft is in normal position, to bemoved out of the shaft slot by said cam upon movement of said body fromthe latter position to the other extreme position .so that said leverbears on the periphery of said shaft, and to remain upon the peripheryof said shaft following rotation of the shaft to move' the slotthereofout of registration with said lever; means by which said shaft can berotated; a connection between said leverand said latch for. moving `thelatch into or out of thesleeve slot according as the lever is on theperiphery of said shaft or within the slot thereof Vso that when saidbody is moved t0 the intermediate position, Said $15611 will GB* aioaeeogage said sleeve to secure the body against movement to the latterposition by said urging means; and means for urging said lever towardssaid shaft so that when the latter is returned to normal position, saidlever will move back into the shaft slot.

5. In combination; ash'aft; means for mounting said shaft for rotation;means by which said shaft can be rotated througha predetermined anglefrom .a predetermined circumferential position; a body surrounding andmovable axially of s`aid shaft to occupy two positions; means foryieldably urging said body to one of said positions; a latch operable tosecure said body in the other of said positions against the action ofsaid urging means; means so connecting said latch with said shaft thatsaid latch is actuated to secure' or release said body according as saidshaft is rotated away from said predetermined circumferential positionor returned thereto; and means for returning said shaft to saidcircumferential position when rotated away therefrom by reversingrotating thereof.

6. In a drift recording instrument; a shaft having a slot longitudinallytherein a portion of which constitutes a cam; a body having a recordingchart thereon; a lever mounted on said body to move into and out of saidslot and means for supporting said body for movement axially of saidshaft from one position in which said lever extends into said slot, toanother position in which said cam functions to move said lever out ofsaid slot.

'7. In a drift recording instrument; a chart element; means for mountingthe chart element to occupy a recording position in which it is adaptedto engage a marking element, and a, non-recording position in which itis adapted to be spaced from the marking element; means for urging thechart element to recording position, a latch -for securing the chart.element in non-recording p0- sition, latch actuating means including ashaft having a slot therein, and a lever connected to said latch formoving the latter to latching or non-latching position according as thelever is without or within said slot; a spring for rotating said shaftto cause said lever to move into said slot; and means for regulatingrotative movement of said shaft under the action of said spring.

-8. In adrift recording instrument; a shaft having a slot axiallytherein a portion of which constitutes a cam; a body, movable lengthwiseof said shaft, to occupy either of two extreme positions or anintermediate position; a recording chart carried by said body a levermounted on said body for movement into and out of said slot and urgedtoward said shaft so that when is moved from one extreme position to theother, said 'cam operates to move said lever out of said slot; a latchfor releasably retaining said body in said intermediate position; and acoonnection between said latch and lever by which said latch is moved toretain or release said body according as said lever is without or withinsaid slot.

9. In a drift recording instrument; a shaft; means for mounting saidshaft for rotation; said `shaft having a slot longitudinally thereinundercut to provide a' relatively sharp edge at the leading side of saidslot when the shaft is mtated in one direction; a lever of lessthickness than the width of said slot and having a nose tapered' to forma relatively sharp vedge at one side thereof;

means for moimting said lever for movement radially of said shafta-recording chart connected to said lever; and 'means for urging saidlever towards said shaft so that said nose edge bears upon the peripheryof said shaft when the shaft is so positioned circumierentially thatsaid slot is out of registration with said nose, and to move said noseinto said slot concurrently with movement of said slot edge past saidnose edge.

10. In a drift recording instrument; a shaft; means for mounting saidshaft for rotation; said shaft having a slot longitudinally thereinundercut to provide a relatively sharp edge at the leading side of saidslot when the shaft is rotated in one direction a portion of said slotconstituting a cam; a lever having a nose of a thickness less than thewidth of said slot and tapered to form a relatively sharp edge atoneside thereof; means for mounting said lever for movement lengthwise andradially of .said shaft; means for urging said lever towards said shaftso that said nose edge bears upon the periphery of said .shaft when theshaft is so positioned circumferentially that said slot is out ofregistration with said nose, and to move said nose into said slotconcurrently with movement of said slot edge ,past said nose edge; meansby which said lever can be moved length- Wise of said shaft to causesaid nose when within said slot, to engage said cam and be moved by thelatter out of said slot and a recording chart carried by the lastmentioned means.

11. In a drift recording instrument, a container; a sleeve xed in thecontainer; a shaft rotatable in the sleeve and having a slot radiallytherein, a portion of which constitutes a cam; a bodymovablein thecontainer axially of said shaft to occupy retracted and advancedpositions; a chart-carrying head rotatable on said body and movableaxially therewith; a spring associated with said shaft for rotating -thelatter; a latch carried by and movable in the body to engage said sleevefor securing the body in retracted position; a lever mounted on the bodyto occupy one position in which itis disposed within said shaftslot-,and another position in which it engages the periphery of saidshaft; means for urging said lever toward said shaft; said cam beingarranged to move said lever outl of said slot when said body is moved toretracted position; an operative connection between said 1ever and saidlatch to cause the latter to be moved to latching or non-latchingposition according as said lever occupies the second and first mentionedpositions; means for urging said body to advanced position; and anoperative connection between said shaft and said head whereby rotationof the head in one direction Will rotate said shaft against the actionof said spring to cause said slot to be angularly spaced from saidlever.

A12. In adrift recording instrument; a sleeve having a slotlongitudinally therein; a shaft having a slot; longitudinally therein, aportion of which constitutes a cam; said shaft rotatable in said sleeveand normally occupying a position therein in which the slot thereofregisters with the sleeve slot; a body movable axially on said sleeve tooccupy either of two extreme positions and an intermediate position;means for urging said-body to one of said extreme positions; a`

latch mounted on said body to .extend into or be withdrawn from saidsleeve slot; a. lever mounted on said body and urged towards said shaftto extend into the shaft slot through the sleeve slot only when saidbody is in. the rst mentioned extreme position and said shaft is innormal position, said cam operating to move said lever out 'of saidshaft slot upon movement of said -body from the last mentioned extremeposition to theother extreme position so that said lever now bears uponthe periphery of said shaft, and toremain upon the periphery of saidshaft following rotation of said shaft to move the slot thereof out ofregistration with said lever;

a connection between said lever and said latch for moving the latch intoor out of the sleeve slot according as thev lever is on the periphery ofsaid shaft or within the slot thereof so that when said body 'is movedto the intermediate position from sai'd other extreme position with theshaft turned so that its slot is out of registration with said lever,said latch will engage' said sleeveto hold said body in intermediateposition; a chart carrying head rotatably mounted on said body; a boltmounted on said head and engaging said body to lock said head in apredetermined or starting positionl circumferentially on said body;means on said body for mov-- ing said bolt to release lsaid head whensaid body is moved to said other extreme position so that said head canbe turned to a second predetermined or gaging position; a spring securedto said shaft and sleeve at one end for rotating said shaft in onedirection; a connection between said head and shaft by which, throughrotation of said head from starting position to gaging position, saidshaft, when released, is rotated to circumferentially space said shaftslot a corresponding distance from said lever; means for regulating thereturn of shaft to normal position; and a one-way clutch operativelyconnecting said last mentioned means to the other end of said shaft sothat said regulating means is disconnected from said shaft when thelatter is rotated in a direction opposed to the rotating action of saidspring.

13. In a drift recording instrument; a chart carrying element; means formounting said element for rotation about a xed axis to occupy a startingposition and any oneof several gaging positions and for` movementaxiallyJ to occupy either of two'positions; urging means for biasingsaid 'felement to one of said two positions; a latch movable to latchingposition for securing said element in the other of said two positionsagainstthe action of said urging means, and movable to a releasingposition in which said element is moved to the biased position by saidurging means; actuating means for said latch having'a part movable froma normal position in which said latch occupies releasing position to anyone of several other positions in whichv said latch is held in latchingposition; means operatively connecting said element to said part sothatby rotation of the element from starting position to any one gagingposition, movement of said part is effected from said normal position toany one of said other positions; means correlated with said element forselecting a predetermined gaging position thereof in advance of movingthe element thereto,fand operating to prevent over-setting of theelement beyond the preselected position when moved thereto; and meansfor returning said part yof said actuating means to normal position fromany one of said other positions to move said latch to released position.

14. In a drift recording instrument; a container; a body movableaxially.` in the container to occupy an inner extreme position, an outerextreme position, and an intermediate position; means for urging saidbody to the outer ex` treme position; a latch for retaining said body 4position;

in the intermediate position against the action of said urging means; achart carrying element carried by said body to occupy correspondingpositions and rotatable relative thereto to occupy .a non-gagingposition and a plurality of gaging positions; locking means on said bodyand element for retaining. the element in nongaging position on saidbody, but movable to release the element upon movement of the latter totheinner extreme position, whereby the element can be turned to anygaging position desired; means for actuating the latch to release saidbody; and a connection between said element and said means for movingsaid means by movement -of said element to a gaging position.

15. In a drift recording instrument; a shaft; a body movable axially ofsaid shaft to occupy inner and outer extreme positions and anintermediate position; a chart carrying element carried by and rotatableon said body to occupy a non-gaging position and any one of severalgaging positions; coacting means on said body and element for lockingthe element against rotation on the body only when the element is innongaging position; means operable to actuate said locking means uponmovement of said element to the inner extreme position when said elementis in the non-gaging position and to thereby permit said element to berotated to any gaging position; a spring tending to rotate said shaft in-one direction; a latch for securing said body in said intermediateposition; means for urging said body to said outer extreme position; aconnection between said element and said shaft by which the shaft can berotated against the action of said spring and means responsive torotation of said shaft by said spring for moving said latch to re-llease said body,

16. In a drift recording instrument; a barrel; a sleeve fixed in thebarrel and having a slot longitudinally therein; a shaft rotatable insaid sleeve and having a groove lengthwise therein a portion of .whichconstitutes a cam; a body mounted on said sleeve for axial movement tooccupy inner and outer extreme positions and an intermediate means forlimiting axial movement of said body in said barrel including a rod anda pin engaging the rod; said body having an opening to permit movementof the body relative to the rod; a cam lever pivoted on said body tomove into and out of said groove and when in said groove to be movedoutwardly thereof by said cam upon movement of said body to said innerextreme position; yieldable means for urging said body to the outerextreme position; a second yieldable means for urging said cam leverinto said groove; a latch on said body operatively connected to said camlever so that when said lever is moved out of said groove said latchwill engage said sleeve to secure said body in the intermediateposition; a spring secured to said shaft and sleeve and tending torotate said shaft in one direction; an arm fixed to said shaft;l a headrotatable on said body and movable axially therewith; a pocket. in saidhead; a spring pressed bolt in said pocket urged outwardly thereof andadapted for extension into said opening when the head is in onecircumferential position on said body for locking said head againstrotation; and a pin secured to said head tomove said armfor rotatingsaid shaft.

1'7. An angle marker' including a support; a ball universally movable insaid support; a rod extending through said ball; and members secured tosaid rod so as to abut said ball at opposite sides thereof fordetachably securing the rod against movement lengthwise in the ball,whereby the effective length of the rod can be varied.

18. In\a drift recording instrument; a body; a chart carrying element;means for mounting said element for movementon said body to occupy astarting position and various gaging psitions; means correlated withsaid element and body adjustable tov define a predetermined. gagingposition of the 'element in advanceof moving the element thereto, in amanner to prevent over-setting thereof, said means comprising a pin, aring carrying said pin and adjustable circumferentially on said elementto move the pin to any. circumferential position with respect to theelement for indicating on the latter a preselected gagng position, alatch on the element for releasably securing the ring to the element inany circumferential position of adjustment, and a stop pin arranged onthe body to be engaged by the first mentioned pin for limiting movementof the element to the preselected position.

19. In a drift recording mechanism; a support; a body movable axially onthe support springs for urging the body outwardly on the support; achart carrying head movable with and rotatably `mounted on the body; andholding means for securing the head against rotation, said means beingoperable by forcing the head inwardly against the action of said springsto release the headl for turning movement thereof on the body.

20. In adrift recording mechanism as embodied in claim 19, wherein saidmeanscomprises a bolt movable in the head, a spring fo'r urging the boltinto the body, and a rod fixed to the support, extending into the bodyand of a length to move the bolt upwardly of the body when the body ismoving inwardly on the support.

21. In a drift recording instrument; a receptacle;a body movable axiallyin the receptacle to occupy an inner position and an outer position;means for urging the body to the outer position; means responsive tomovement of the body to the inner position for latching the body in saidposition; a chart carrying head rotatable on said body to occupy varioustime-gaging positions and movable with the body to occupy inner andouter positions; means connected to said latching means by which saidbody is unlatched to permit movement thereof to the outer position apredetermined time after'moving the body to the inner position and meansso connecting the last mentioned means to said head that the timerequired to release the body is varied in accordance with thetime-gaging position to which said head is adjusted.

22. In a drift recording instrument as embodied in claim 10 wherein theslot in said shaft is of dove-tail form in cross'section with itsgreatest width at the bottom thereof.

23. In a drift recording instrument; a body; a chart carrying element;means for mounting said element for rotational movement on said body tooccupy a starting position and various time-gaging positions; and meanscorrelated with said element and body which is rotatable to define apredetermined time-gaging position of said element in advance ofrotating the element there-'

